Rotary engine.



No. 802,920. PATENTED OCT. 24, 1905.

F EGERSDORFER ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED mm; 22, 1904.

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No". 802,920. PATENTED 0GT.24,1905. r. EGERSDORFER. ROTARY ENGINE. APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 22, 1904.

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UNITED STATES PATENT UFFIGE.

FRITZ EGERSDCRFER, OF WIESBADEN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO FRITZ LINDER, OF BARMEN, GERMANY.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24, 1905.

A li ati fil d June 22, 1904. Serial No. 213,598.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRITZ EeERsDoRFER, a citizen of the German Empire, residing at Wiesbaden, in theProvince of Hesse-Nassau and Kingdom of Prussia, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in rotary engines of that type where the driving mediumsteam, compressed air, gas under pressure, water, or any other suitable fiuid works upon a piston in form of a flat plate which can move transversely or diamet ically through the center of the shaft withinthe cylinder, while its side edgesthat is, those running parallel to the shaft-glide along the concave or hollow cylindrical surface of the cyl- Different from the known constructions of these machines in my invention the piston or piston-plate is inclosed at both ends in enlarged parts or disks inside of the cylinder and cast together or otherwise rigidly connected to the engine-shaft,so that by this means the power taken up by the plate-piston from the pressure medium is transmitted to the shaft proper forming the outside prolongations of the piston. These ends therefore need no tightening or packing, steam-tight joints being conveniently made on the circumference of said disks and stuifing-boxes between the' cylinder-covers, and the shaft can be omitted and any escape of working steam is absolutely avoided. Means for regulating the admission of the motive fluid automatically or by hand can be applied in any suitable known way.

On the accompanying drawings the new engine is shown in two manners of construction, the one with expansion-gear, the other without.

Figure 1 is an end view with the cylindercover taken off of the first construction. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section along line II'of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a vertical section, partly along the broken line II II of Fig. l and partly along line III III of Fig. 2, While Figs. 4 to 11 show in diagram form the working of the device for regulating the admission of the steam-namely, Figs. 4 and 5 in afront view and cross-section, respectively, with the regulating-disk in the position for the beginning of the admission, and Figs. 6 and 7 the same in similar views for the end of the admission for a long period of admission. Figs. 8 and 9 are similar views as 4 and 5 of the position of the regulating-disk for the beginning of the admission, but this disk so adjusted that the steam is cutoff earlier than in the previous case. Figs. 10 and 11 show the disk in its place at the moment of cut off. Figs. 12 to 16 show the engine Working non-expansively-namely, Fig. 12. in a. cross-section along line IV IV of Fig. 13; Fig. 13, in acentral longitudinal section along line VV of Fig. 12; Fig. 14, in a cross-section along line VI VI of Fig. 13; Fig. 15, in a transverse section along line VII VII of Fig. 13. Fig. 16 shows in an enlarged view a detail part of the engine.

By the number 1 is indicated a pedestal which carries the cylinder 2. This cylinder is composed of four separate compartmentsnamely, the Working cylinder proper, 3,Whicl1 may be cylindrical or elliptical and placed eccentric to the shaft, the part 4L below the cylinder containing the admission and exhaust channels 5 and 6, respectively, the two enlarged end chambers 7 and '7 of exactly cylindrical sha e and concentric to the shaft 8. This shaft is slotted centrally and longitudinally. At both ends of the same the enlarged disks 9 and 9, respectively, are fixed thereto, which are provided with packing-rings 9 on the circumference and fit exactly into the enlarged spaces 7 and 7 In the slot 8 the shaft carries the piston-plate 8", which can slide therein diametrically. Its width and its relative position in the space 3 is such that when it rotates with theshaft its side edges are always in close contact with the inner circumference of the space 3. Elastic packings or rollers 8 may be provided to form a tight joint between the edges of the piston-plate and the circumference of space 3. Similar packings 8 in the slot 8 guide the pistonplate 8 and form a tight joint between it and the sides of the slot 8. The piston-plate reaches into the enlarged disks 9 and 9, and here it ends by enlarged heads 8, and thus it transmits the power taken up by it to the engine-shaft 8 which projects at both ends of the cylinder. The shaft 8 fits tightly to the lower inner side of the cylinder 3, which forms a bearing for it. Both ends of the cylinder 2 are provided with. flanges 10 and 10, to which are bolted the covers 11 and 11, by which the cylinder is closed. Central holes 11 in said covers allow the passage of the shaft 8 Within a recess 12 and 12*of each flange are arranged, between the same and the covers 11 and 11, the admission-regulating disks 13 and 13, on the opposite side is made alike. Both are provided at their lower side with a prolongation 14 and 1 1 having teeth 15 at the lower edge, by which they can mesh with a pinion 16 or its equivalent for the purpose explained farther on. To the cover 11 is connected the admission-pipe 16 and to the other one 11 the exhaust-pipe 17. The pipe 16 communicates, by means of a long circular slot 18 in the disk 13 and by a passage 19 in the pistondisk 9 and by a circular recess 5 in the lower part of the face of the cylinder 2, with the admission-channel 5. by which the steam or other pressure medium enters into the part 3 of the cylinder 3 below the piston-plate 8*. Similar passages are arranged on the other side-that is, on the left side of the shaftso that the space 3* below the piston-plate communicates with the exhaust-passage 6, which, by a recess 6 at the other end of the cylinder, a passage 20 (shown in dotted lines) in the disk 9, and a circular slot 21 in the disk 13, similar to the slot 18 in the disk 13, communicates with the exhaust-pipe 17.

By a pinion 16 (indicated in dotted lines) or by a quadrant or other equivalent means meshing with the teeth 15 of the prolongation 1 1 of the disk 13, and which may be worked by hand or which by well-known means may be brought in connection with an ordinary engine (centrifugal) governor, the disk 13 may be turned one way or the other, there being free spaces 23 left in the recess 12 of the flange 10 for this purpose, so that by this means the slot 18 may be brought in such a position with regard to the admission-opening 19 that the steam will be cut off sooner or later duringeach revolution of the piston, and thereby the engine can be worked expansively.

When the entrance and exhaust passages at both ends of the cylinder are made alike, so that either pipe 16 or 17 may be used as admission or as exhaust pipe, and vice versa, the engine can be reversed and work both ways.

Having now described the construction of the new machine, I will explain its working by means of the diagram, Figs. 4 to 11. The same characters of reference indicate the same parts of Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Figs. 4: and 6 show the parts for regulating the admission in the position as in the engine for admission of steam during a long period of the stroke or of a revolution. Figs. 5 and -7 show, respectively, the same in a section and supposed as being moved in a straight line from left to right.

Figs. 8 to 11 are similar representations, but showing the disk 13 turned a certain amount, so that'the steam will be cut off earlier and that steam is admitted during a shorter period of the stroke or of a revolution, so that the engine works during a longer time expansively. When, Figs. 4 and 5, the parts 11, 13, 9 and 2, have the position with regard to each other as shown,

and the engine is supposed to run in the direction indicated by the arrow, the edges of the passage 19 in the disk 9 and that of the those of the recess 5*, communicating with the admission-chambers 5, are just in position for the beginning of the admission and steam will be admitted to the cylinder and the piston-plate during the time the piston is moving in the angle athat is, until the passage 19 has reached the position shown in Figs. 6 and 7when the steam is cut off. Figs. 8 to 11 show the same parts, but with the disk 13 shifted or turned in opposite direction to the movement of the piston, so that the steam will be cut off earlier, admission taking place only during the time the piston is moving in the angle ct, which issmaller than the angle a, as will be seen from a comparison of Figs. 6 and 10.

I will now proceed to describe the second manner of construction shown by Figs. 12 to 16, in which similar parts are indicated by same characters of reference as in the first instance. This example is constructed as nonexpansive and not reversible. It can therefore be carried out simpler in several respects, as will be seen hereinafter. claim, however, this form of engine herein, as the same is described and claimed in another application, filed May 23, 1905. As in the preceding case, on pedestals 1 is supported the cylinder, which is composed of four compartments namely, the smaller middle one 3 and the two outer and larger ones 7 and 7 right and left to the compartment 3. The cylinder-space 3 is placed eccentrically to the two outer ones 7 and 7", and below the cylinder 3 is the compartment containing the admission and exhaust parts 5 and 6; but all four form one hollow space. The cylindercasing is made in two parts, which are held together by flanges 25 and bolts. At both ends the cylinder-casing is closed by covers 11 and 11, which are provided with central holes for the engine-shaft 8 to pass through. Into this threefold casing is placed from the top side, when the top half of the shell has been taken off, the piston-plate and its accessories with the means or organs for guiding the piston-plate and for insuring tightness against escape of the pressure medium. These parts are the following: The piston-plate 8 guiding the same, and the two disks 9 and 9 The axis 8 and the two disks 9 and 9 form one rigid piece, and centrally to the outer surfaces of the disks are cast or otherwise circular slot 18 in the regulating-disk 13 and IOC I do not 'lIO rigidly attached to them the right and left parts 8 of the engine-shaft. The axis 8 is slotted radially nearly right through, and the slot 26 is extended to a certain distance into the side disks 9 and 9 respectively. Where it is enlarged'or widened and extended also in radial direction in both disks to the edge of the latter, as seen at 26. In accordance with the enlarged slots 26 the ends 8 of the piston-plate 8 are also made thicker to fit closely into said slots, and these thickened end parts 8 are prolonged outward, so as to reach beyond the grooves 27, cut concentric to the small cylinder 3 into the inner faces of the sides of the cylinder-casing facing the inner sides of the disks 1'1 and 11. Guide-heads 28, screwed in said prolongations ofthe thickened ends of the piston plate, carry rollers 29, which find a guideway in said grooves 27, and thus give a positive radial motion to the piston-plate 8 on its rotation in the cylinder 3, so that the outer edge of the piston-plate 8 is always kept in close contact with the inner circumference of the cylinder 3. In order to insureaclose fitting between the pistonplate and the circumference of the cylinder and to reduce the friction. between the same, the piston-plate is provided with a roller 8 which is pressed outwardly by a spring 8', placed underneath said roller, and it will thus be understood that by the combined action of the groove 27, the rollers 29, and the roller 8 the piston-plate will divide the cylinderspace 3 in two tightly-shut-up compartments, into one of which live steam or any other compressed gas will be admittedfor instance,

by the passage 5'while the other is in communication with the exhaust-port 6. The passages 55 and 6 communicate, respectively, with admission-pipes and exhaust-pipes. (Not shown on the drawings.) In order to procure a steam-tight contact between the axis 8 and the circumference of the cylinder 3, a packing-piece 30 is fitted in a respective groove of the cylinder and pressed against the axis by a spring or other suitable means and bolts 31. At theinner end of the piston-plate 8 a tight fit between it and the slot 26 in the axis 8 is attained by packing-pieces 31, and for the purpose of providing adjustable guides for the piston-plate in the slots 26 wedges 26 are placed right and left of the respective part of the piston-plate, which can be kept in close contact with the piston-plate in case of wear and tear of the same by means of setscrews 32, which can be reached through holes in the cylinder-casing and closed by bolts 33, as best seen by the detail Fig. 16. Finally, attention has to be called to the packing-rings 34, placed round the disks 9 and 9 so as to provide also a steam-tight fit between these and the cylinder-case.

1 am aware that rotary engines of similar design have been known, and I therefore do not claim, broadly, a patent for such engines; but

What I do claim is- 1. In a rotary engine a working cylinder of circular or elliptical section. a circular shaft slotted longitudinally placed therein eccentrically and so as to fit tightly with its lower side to the inner circumference of the cylinder, admission and exhaust ports respectively right and left to the line of contact between the cylinder and said slotted shaft, enlarged chambers at'both ends of the cylinder concentric to the slotted shaft, disks rigidly connected to said shaft and fitting tightly into said enlarged chambers, covers closing these chambers end wise, shaft extensions at both outside faces of said disks and rigidly connected therewith and passing through respective holes in the closing-covers, a piston-plate placed tightly into the slot of said slotted shaft and. movable therein, so as to keep in close contact with the circumference of the cylinder and divide the same into two separate compartments, one communicating with the admission port, the other with the exhaustport, during its rotation in the cylinder, thickened parts at both ends of the piston-plate fitting into corresponding enlarged slots in the disks in the enlarged end chambers of the cylinder, and thereby transmitting the power taken up by the piston-plates to the disks and to the shaft extensions at both ends of said disks, the whole as described for the purpose set forth.

2. In a rotary engine a pedestal 1 a cylinder 2, carried on said pedestal an elliptical compartment 3 in said cylinder, enlarged circular compartments 7, 7 a respectively right and left of and situated eccentrically to said compartment 3, admission and exhaust ports and 6 respectively below the compartment 3, covers- 11 and 11 respectively closing the cylinder 2 at both ends, an admission-pipe 16 on cover 11 communicating by a passage 19 with said admission-port 5, an exhaust-pipe on cover 11 and communicating by a passage 20 with the exhaust-pipe 17 oncover 11 in combination with a shaft 8 resting on the lower part of the inner circumference of said compartment 3 and situated centrally to the compartments 7, 7 enlarged disks 9, 9 respectively at both ends of said shaft-8 and fitting exactly into the compartments 7, 7 respectively, a longitudinal slot 8 in shaft 8, a piston-plate 8 guided in said slot, enlarged heads 8 at both ends of said piston-plate, and inclosed in said disks 9 and 9 respectively, shaft extensions 8 connected rigidly to both outside ends of said disks 9 and 9 respectively, central holes 11 in'the covers 11 and 11 respectively allowing the passage of the shaft extensions 8, the whole as described and illustrated and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a rotary engine a cylinder 2, a small IIO compartment 3 in the middle of said cylinder enlarged compartments 7, 7 respectively right and left and situated eccentrically to said compartment 3, admission and exhaust ports 5 and 6 respectively below the compartment 3, covers 11 and 11 respectively at both ends of the cylinder 2, recesses 12 and 12 in the flanges 10 and 10 respectively of the cylinder inside of said covers 11 and 11 respectively, a disk 13 placed in said recess 12, a circular slot 18 in said disk, a toothed prolongation 1 1 at the lower side of disk 13, a pinion 16 or its equivalent meshing with the teeth 15 of said prolongation 14: for moving said disk 13,

a disk 13 at the opposite end of the cylinder 2, a recess 12 receiving said disk, a slot 21 in said disk 13 a prolongation 14 at the lower side of 18, teeth 15 at the lower edge of said prolongation in combination with a shaft 8 resting on the lower part of the inner circumference of said compartment 3 and situated centrally to the compartments 7, 7, enlarged disks 9, 9 respectively at both ends of said shaft 8 and fitting exactly into the compartments 7, 7 respectively, a longitudinal slot 8 in shaft 8, a piston-plate 8 guided in said slot 8 tightening rollers 8 at the outer edges of the piston-plate, elastic packings 8 inside of slot 8 on both sides of the piston-plate for preventing the escape of the pressure medium between the piston plate and its adjacent parts, enlarged heads 8 at both ends of the piston-plate, shaft extensions 8 at both ends of said disks 9, 9 respectively, and passing through the covers 11 and 11 respectively, the whole as described and illustrated and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRITZ EGERSDORFER.

Witnesses:

J EAN GRUND, CARL GRUND. 

